Episode 108: Reconnecting with your imagination with textile artist, Murron Fraser

In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by contemporary textile artist Murron Fraser.

Based in Manchester, Murron’s work is inspired by nature, folklore and storytelling, creating richly layered textile pieces that invite us to look more closely at the hidden wonders of the natural world. Through a combination of machine embroidery, printmaking, and mixed media techniques, she creates artworks that are full of texture, colour and meaning.

Alongside her artistic practice, Murron is also a passionate educator and workshop facilitator, helping others reconnect with their creativity through community projects, courses and nature-inspired textile experiences.

In our conversation, we talk about the threads that run through her work, from Celtic folklore and the idea of hidden worlds, to the role of observation, curiosity and creative play in her practice. We also discuss how she balances life as a working artist, educator and community arts practitioner, and why slowing down can be such an important part of the creative process.

Thank you Murron for speaking to me for Making Stitches Podcast!

You can see Murron’s work over on her website: textilesbymurron.com

You can sign up to Murron’s newsletter here: https://www.textilesbymurron.com/newsletter

Murron’s Instagram profile is here and you can find her on Facebook here.

Thank you for listening to Making Stitches Podcast!

To join the mailing list for the Making Stitches Newsletter, please click onto this link

The theme music is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops.

The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.

You can support Making Stitches Podcast with running costs through Ko-fi.
Making Stitches Podcast is supported by the Making Stitches Shop which offers Making Stitches Podcast merchandise for sale as well as Up the Garden Path crochet patterns created by me & illustrated by Emma Jackson.

Episode 107: Connection, Confidence & Community with Melissa Santiago-Val from Sew Positive

Hello, and welcome to Making Stitches Podcast! This time, I’m delighted to be joined by Melissa Santiago-Val founder and CEO of Sew Positive. What began during the pandemic as a community effort making face masks to raise money for NHS charities has grown into an inspiring charity using sewing, mending and up cycling to support peoples’ mental health and wellbeing.

In our chat, Melissa shares her own creative journey, the story behind Sew Positive and how stitching can be more than simply making something with our hands. We talk about creativity as a tool for connection, confidence and community, and explore how sewing can help people through difficult times while also encouraging a more sustainable approach to the clothes we wear.

You can find out more about Sew Positive over on their website and you can find lots of other information on their linktree here.

Thank you for listening to Making Stitches Podcast!

To join the mailing list for the Making Stitches Newsletter, please click onto this link

The theme music is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops.

The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.

Episode 106 : Stitching History: Inside the Knitting & Crochet Guild Collection

Upstairs in an historic industrial building in the centre of the West Yorkshire town of Slaithwaite is a vast collection of handmade items, tools and publications charting the history of knitting and crochet in the UK. The Knitting and Crochet Guild Collection was started in 1991 and is cared for by a team of dedicated volunteers.

A small section of the publications area of the Collection

Hidden away in this fascinating archive is an extraordinary collection of handmade garments, patterns, yarns, tools, publications and shade cards, all connected to the rich history of knitting and crochet in the UK. Thousands of items have been donated by makers from across the country, preserving not just beautiful pieces of work, but also the stories, skills and social history behind them.

The collection has grown into a real treasure trove, an invaluable research resource for academics and historians, but also an endless source of inspiration for contemporary designers, knitters and crocheters.

Isobel (left) & Angharad (right) at the K&C Guild Collection

I feel hugely privileged to have been invited along to see some of the Collection for myself. I loved chatting with Angharad Thomas a Volunteer Textile Archivist and Isobel Holland a Collection Volunteer over in Slaithwaite, and am very grateful to them for speaking to me for Making Stitches Podcast.

A filet crochet pattern sample book in the Collection

You can find out all about the Knitting and Crochet Guild over on their website along with all the information we chatted about in our conversation about the Collection including when their upcoming events will be happening.

A crocheted hat based on St Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow

Thank you for listening to Making Stitches Podcast!

To join the mailing list for the Making Stitches Newsletter, please click onto this link

The theme music is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops.

The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.

Episode 105 : Pattern challenges, THAT paper dress and life after Sewing Bee with Kit Giroux

This time on Making Stitches Podcast, I’m joined by Kit Giroux, a semi-finalist from the 2025 series of The Great British Sewing Bee. In our chat, Kit talks about their sewing journey, from first learning as a child to rediscovering a love of making a year or so before appearing on national television. We also chat about what it was really like to take part in Series 11 of The Great British Sewing Bee.

Kit’s sketch book featuring the Pop Art Paper dress

Kit shares some brilliant behind-the-scenes insights from their time in the Great British Sewing Bee Sewing Room, including the story behind the unforgettable paper dress created for Pop Art Week, which went on to win Garment of the Week. We talk about the pressure of choosing and getting your hands on the right fabric when the challenges start, stepping through the screen to appear on a show you’ve loved for years, and the joy of making clothes that truly reflect your personal style.

Kit’s Taekwondo Transformation Challenge

Kit in a self made outfit (including his famous jeans) — Kit’s Taekwondo Transformation Challenge

As well as looking back on Sewing Bee, Kit also talks about their plans for the future, including their hopes to release an original range of sewing patterns.

Thank you so much Kit for speaking to me for Making Stitches!

You can find Kit on Instagram and TikTok.

Thank you for listening to Making Stitches Podcast!

To join the mailing list for the Making Stitches Newsletter, please click onto this link

The theme music is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops.

The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.

Making Stitches Podcast is presented, recorded and edited by Lindsay Weston.

Episode 104: Yarn, Fibre & Community with Gareth from Manchester Wool & Yarn

I’m taking you out on the road with me today to Stockport to visit a fabulous yarn shop, Manchester Wool & Yarn. The shop celebrated its 2nd birthday earlier this year and is owed and run by Gareth, a passionate maker and supporter of the yarn community.

Stocked with familiar brands and products from independent yarn dyers based across the North West of England, it’s a positive treasure trove of colour, squishyness & is such a lovely place to visit. Regular ‘Bitch and Stitch’ socials support a welcoming community of yarn lovers, and Gareth is always happy to help answer any yarn or pattern queries he encounters from customers.

It was so lovely to visit Gareth at Manchester Wool & Yarn, and I’m really grateful he took the time to speak to me for the podcast – thanks again Gareth!

You can find Manchester Wool & Yarn’s website here and Gareth is also very active on social media, find him on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok.

Thank you for listening to Making Stitches Podcast!

To join the mailing list for the Making Stitches Newsletter, please click onto this link

The theme music is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops.

The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.

Episode 103: From London 2012 to Peru: Anna Nikipirowicz’s Fabulous Yarn Adventure

My guest for this episode of Making Stitches Podcast is the wonderful Anna Nikipirowicz. Anna first learned to knit and crochet as a child in Poland, but she says she found it boring – luckily for us, as an adult she found a new passion for both crafts and is passionate about sharing her love and knowledge of them.

Anna has published a series of books on crochet techniques, embroidery onto crochet, Tunisian crochet as well as a book on crochet & knitting too. Her passion for her craft is truly infectious and she loves to meet makers and help them improve their techniques and try new things in workshops across the UK and also abroad.

Shawls, socks and blankets are Anna’s favourite items to make and she wants everyone else to join her on her brilliant yarny adventure too. You can find Anna’s website & Instagram account here.

Thanks so much for Anna for finding the time to speak to me for this episode of Making Stitches Podcast!

Thank you for listening to Making Stitches Podcast!

To join the mailing list for the Making Stitches Newsletter, please click onto this link

The theme music is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops.

The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.

Making Stitches Podcast is presented, recorded and edited by Lindsay Weston.

Episode 100 : From Postcard from Gibraltar to Making Stitches

Hello and welcome to the 100th episode of Making Stitches Podcast.

Way back in April of 2020 when I published my first ever Making Stitches Podcast episode, I had no idea that over 5 years later, I would be publishing episode 100! That blows my tiny mind!

In the months leading up to this milestone, I had a couple of conversations with my lovely yarny friend, Christine Perry (aka Winwick Mum) and she suggested marking this podcast milestone with a different kind of episode – one with me as the guest.

After much consideration, I took Christine up on her kind offer and let her turn the tables – asking me the questions instead. At the start of December, we had a lovely time having a long chat and recording this episode.

Among the topics we covered were where I first learned to sew, knit and crochet, my career in journalism and how I got started in radio, our family’s time in Gibraltar and how that led to starting my Postcard from Gibraltar blog back in 2015, making friends through the world of creativity, podcasting and blogging and, of course, 5 years of Making Stitches Podcast.

Image shows Lindsay Weston sitting behind the radio desk at Manchester United Radio in the late 1990s — Me back in the late 1990s behind the radio desk at Manchester United Radio – my first job in broadcasting

Image shows Lindsay Weston sitting behind the news reading desk at GBC News — My news reading days at the Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation

I hope you enjoy listening to my ramblings about how I ended up doing what I do now!

Huge thanks to Christine for being the host of Making Stitches Podcast this time! You can find Christine’s website here: https://www.winwickmum.co.uk/

You can find the Making Stitches Blog here: https://makingstitches.co.uk/

Thank you for listening to Making Stitches Podcast!

You can listen to Gibraltar Stories Podcast in all the usual podcast places as well as on the Gibraltar Stories Website: https://gibraltarstories.com/

To join the mailing list for the Making Stitches Newsletter, please click onto this link

The theme music is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops.

The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.

Making Stitches Podcast is presented, recorded and edited by Lindsay Weston.

The Making Stitches 2025 CAL squares

I look forward to sharing some more episodes of Making Stitches Podcast later on in 2026. Until then, take care of yourself and enjoy your crafting!

Lindsay x

Episode 99 : Happy Stitchmas! The Making Stitches 2025 Christmas Special

Hello there and Happy Stitchmas!

It’s that time of year again when I take a look back at the past 12 months and choose some of the highlights of my podcasting year.

2025 has been a big year for me, I celebrated 10 years of blogging (Postcard from Gibraltar and then Making Stitches Blog) and 5 years of Making Stitches Podcast.

In this episode I share some of the chats I have had this year and you may have heard before as well as some new chats too.

Included in this episode are:

Christine Perry from Winwick Mum speaking about 10 years of the Winwick Mum sock along.
Eleonora Tully from Coastal Crochet talking about 10 years of her blog and our celebration of a decade online with our Let’s Celebrate Wreath collaborative crochet pattern.
Sara & Sean MacLeod from Crochet in the Glen chatting about the fun they have together and how they love to share their silliness online.
Kirstie MacLeod, the artist behind The Red Dress, who I met at Woven in Kirklees on World Stitch Day.
Becky Davies-Downes from William & Tilda who appeared a couple of times on the podcast last year. I interviewed her again at Yarndale this September, and this is the first time I’ve shared our chat.
Also at Yarndale, I spoke to Julie Park, a close friend of Amanda Bloom, who sadly died this year. Julie has taken on Amanda’s social media accounts after her death and has raised funds to support the Yarndale Start-Up Bursary for fledgling creative businesses at the festival in memory of Amanda and her daughter Jenny.
More recently, I was at the Christmas edition of the Crochet Sanctuary Crochet Days just last weekend. While I was there I spoke to Lisa and Lynda-Rose who run the Crochet Sanctuary and, who were my guests on the first ever edition of Making Stitches back in the spring of 2020.
I also caught a quick few minutes with Heather from Keep Calm & Crochet On and Jess from Hook & Cwtch.

I hope you enjoy listening, and that you have a great Christmas. I’ll be back again soon, with the last episode of the current series – and my 100th episode!

Thank you for listening to Making Stitches Podcast!

To join the mailing list for the Making Stitches Newsletter, please click onto this link

The theme music is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops.

The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.

Making Stitches Podcast is presented, recorded and edited by Lindsay Weston.

Episode 98 : From an Amigurumi Pig to Crocheted Patchwork with Anita Gibney from Made by Anita

In this episode of Making Stitches Podcast I chat to Anita Gibney — the designer behind Made by Anita and the author of the brand-new book; Patchwork Granny Square Blankets. Known for her beautiful crochet blanket deisgns, Anita has become an ambassador for Stylecraft Yarns and has just published her first book.

We chat about how her love of crochet began, the inspiration behind her quilt-inspired granny-square blankets, and what it was like to turn years of designing into her first published book. Anita also shares insights into her creative process, how she approaches colour schemes, and why it’s important to share skills to inspire makers of all skill levels.

Whether you’re a crochet beginner, a seasoned maker, or simply someone who loves hearing from a fellow creative, I’m sure you’ll enjoy listening to Anita’s story.

You can find Anita’s website here: madebyanita.co.uk

Find out about Anita’s new book: Patchwork Granny Square Blankets

Here is the yarn company which Anita made reference to during our chat: The Grey Sheep.

Exploration Sampler Blanket

Anita’s Modern Medallion Blanket

Thank you for listening to Making Stitches Podcast!

To join the mailing list for the Making Stitches Newsletter, please click onto this link

The theme music is Make You Smile by RGMusic from Melody Loops.

The Making Stitches logo was designed by Neil Warburton at iamunknown.

Making Stitches Podcast is presented, recorded and edited by Lindsay Weston.

Merry Crochet Makes with Justine Robson & Nicky Ward – BONUS EPISODE

December starts next week which means we are officially on the countdown to Christmas, but there’s still time to make a few Christmas gifts for special people or some decorations for your home.

In this special ‘Bonus Episode’ I’m sharing a chat I had with Justine from Little Box of Crochet and Nicky Ward from A Heart Shaped Cherry. Followers of Little Box of Crochet will know that 2025 has been a difficult year for Justine. One of the things she has had to deal with involved being badly let down on a yarn order for her Summer Box of Crochet, which left her severely out of pocket and struggling through no fault of her own.

In an attempt to help Justine recoup some of her financial losses, a group of crochet designers have donated Christmas themed crochet patterns to be included in a special E-Book called Merry Crochet Makes, which was curated and edited by Nicky.

Last weekend, I spoke to Justine and Nicky about this special collaboration and how it all came together, including chatting about how difficult things have been for Justine this year. (During our chat, Justine became quite upset – for obvious reasons – however, she has listened back to this episode before being released, and it is being published with her blessing).